This past week, the Victor Valley Daily Press (Victorville) ran a brillint three-part series on innovative Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Arizona.  Arpaio has gernered national attention for his revolutionary efforts of fighting cime in the Phoenix, Arizona area - methods that have led to him being frequently referred to as "America's Sheriff."

Sheriff Arpaio recently sat down with staff reporter Ryan Orr of the V V Daily Press in Phoenix to discusss the sheriff department's role in apprehending illegal immigrants and enforcing Arizona state laws against human smuggling. The lawman discussed a wide range of topics with the area daily, including his unique take on inmate living conditions and why having guests of the Maricopa County jail where pink undergarments saves Arizona taxpayer dollars.

The Daily Press on Sheriff Arpaio's enforcement of immigration law:

Since a state law was passed in spring 2006 making human smuggling a felony, Maricopa County law enforcement agents have arrested 526, including two arrested Monday. In the past 10 days, 94 have been arrested under the state and federal immigration laws.

“The Terminator should call me and thank me,” Arpaio said, referring to California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. “Seventy percent of the 500 arrested were headed for California.”

Arpaio is also training 160 officers to enforce the Arizona state law and federal immigration statutes. They make up the Triple I Strike Force, which stands for illegal immigration interdiction, officials said.

Thirty-seven have already been trained, and 35 more started training last week.

No other county is dealing with immigration on the level that Maricopa County is.

Read more on the Daily Press' excellent coverage on Sheriff Arpaio's approach to immigration here, his department's position on jail privleges here and Joe Arapio's leadership on county jail management here.